The Art Of Lowering Desktop Management Costs

network security Windows

Best described as a platform, ScriptLogic's products come in modules that are integrated to offer specific network services. The product family reviewed by the Test Center is aptly named Desktop Authority Version 7.5, a product geared toward the management of desktop PCs.

Controlling desktop PCs proves to be one of the most important elements of building a secure network. After all, most security problems find their way into the network via the desktop and the end user. Desktop Authority started out as a life-cycle management product and has evolved over the years to include additional capabilities such as patch management, image deployment, antispyware, remote support and device control—making it the be-all and end-all of desktop management.

With version 7.5, administrators now can control every aspect of the desktop environment. What's more, the modular approach to all of the management chores can be accomplished remotely via the Web, allowing VARs to leverage the product as a managed service and then add additional capabilities as needs arise.

The major strength behind the product comes from its policy management capabilities. Administrators can define policies that roam with users, which brings full desktop control down to the user. This capability is similar to what Windows group policies were designed to accomplish, but with Desktop Authority creating and deploying policies is significantly easier.

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Desktop Authority also offers several features that are not available with Windows group policies. For example, administrators can create policies for OS provisioning so that desktop OSes can be pushed down to a system via policies. A unique feature offered by Desktop Authority is the ability to manage virtual desktops as if they were physical environments. The product offers all of the same capabilities to users running products such as VMware or Parallels' desktop virtualization products. That opens up a whole new world to administrators looking to push down policy-driven environments to users. Administrators will find installation of the product straightforward, requiring only access to a server-class machine and access to Microsoft Active Directory. The product uses a client-server approach to distribution in which clients run a management application that allows the server side of the application to push down policies and applications directly to the client.

The company is in the process of redefining its channel program and the initial layout of the new program looks impressive. The three-tier program offers Silver, Gold and Platinum partner levels. Silver is the entry level and requires quarterly revenue reporting and the purchase of an NFR copy of the product. Gold-level partners are required to have $75,000 in annual sales, while Platinum ups the ante to $250,000. Partners can expect margins ranging from 20 percent to 30 percent, depending on partner level. Gold- and Platinum-level partners are eligible for deal registration bonuses. All partners have access to technical discussion forums and a gated partner site. Gold and Platinum partners also are eligible for MDF and can participate in marketing events. Platinum-level partners receive dedicated marketing and channel sales managers, along with priority tech support. All partners have access to online quarterly training and Platinum partners have the option of attending on-site training. Gold- and Platinum-level partners must submit business plans and maintain a defined level of certified sales and technical engineers on staff.

One downside to the company's partner program is the NFR purchase requirement for Silver-level partners, which may be a detriment to smaller VARs looking to enter into the desktop control and management market.